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Azerbaijan has expressed reservations about participating in a planned international stabilization force for the Gaza Strip, citing concerns over the scope of the mandate and limited military capacity, according to a senior presidential adviser.
Hikmet Hajiyev said the United States had approached Baku about joining the force but stressed that no final decision has been made.
He said it would be difficult for Azerbaijan to participate under current conditions.
Hajiyev said the United Nations Security Council resolution establishing the force does not clarify key issues, including rules of engagement in Gaza, operational modalities and the scope of the mission’s mandate.
He also noted that Azerbaijan had been engaged in conflict with neighboring Armenia until 2023, making it difficult to convince the public to mobilize additional troops for an overseas mission.
The international force is intended to maintain security in Gaza, demilitarize the area and train Palestinian police forces as part of a Gaza peace plan proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump and adopted by the U.N. Security Council in November.
The United States had aimed to begin operations around the start of the new year but has said it will not deploy its own troops.
While Islamic countries were expected to contribute, progress has been slow.
Abdullah II said in late October that Jordan would not send troops, and a senior official from the United Arab Emirates said in November that participation would be difficult at this time.
The force would be multinational and operate under U.S. coordination.
However, discussions have been delayed, and uncertainty remains over participation levels.
The Gaza ceasefire took effect in October, with the first phase, including the release of surviving hostages, largely completed.
Plans call for moving to a second phase that includes the disarmament of Hamas and the deployment of the international force, though sporadic Israeli attacks continue and the durability of the ceasefire remains uncertain.
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